How Much Money Does A Pediatrician Make?

Do you want to become a pediatrician and want to know how much they make? Or do you simply want to take your child to one? Whatever the case is, this article will tell you all you need to know.

The term pediatrician has been derived from the Greek words ‘pais,’ which means child, and ‘iatros,’ which means doctor or healer. Therefore, a pediatrician is a clinical expert who gives medical care to kids.

It was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that pediatrician was perceived and created as another clinical specialty. Abraham Jacobi is known for his numerous commitments to the field and is considered the father of pediatrics. He was born in Germany and also got his clinical training from there. Later, he went to the United States to practice medicine, where he opened the first-ever clinic for children in New York.

When pursuing a career in medicine, aspiring pediatricians often wonder about the financial rewards accompanying their noble profession. Pediatricians play a vital role in safeguarding the health and well-being of children, but how much money do pediatricians make? While the salary of a pediatrician is influenced by various factors, such as experience, location, and practice setting, it remains an important consideration for those embarking on this medical career path.

In this article, we will explore the average salaries of pediatricians across the United States and shed light on the variations between different states. So, whether you’re a prospective pediatrician, a curious parent, or simply interested in healthcare compensation, join us as we uncover the financial aspects of a pediatrician’s rewarding journey in caring for the health and well-being of our youngest generation.

What Does A Pediatrician Do?

A pediatrician is a medical doctor specializing in caring for infants, children, and adolescents. A pediatrician will see your child numerous times from when the baby is born until the age of 2. From the ages of 2 to 5, the doctor will see your child once a year in what are known as “well-child visits.” After age 5, your pediatrician will most likely continue seeing your child yearly for annual check-ups. Moreover, they are also the first person you will call whenever your child is sick.

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Pediatricians are responsible for a wide range of tasks, including:

• Routine check-ups and preventive care: Pediatricians conduct regular wellness visits to monitor a child’s growth and development, administer immunizations according to the recommended schedule, and provide guidance on healthy habits, nutrition, and safety measures.
• Diagnosis and treatment of illnesses: Pediatricians diagnose and treat various acute and chronic illnesses affecting children. They assess symptoms, order diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans to help children recover from illnesses or manage chronic conditions.
• Developmental assessments: Pediatricians evaluate a child’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development to ensure they meet age-appropriate milestones. They can identify potential developmental delays or disabilities and provide appropriate referrals for further evaluation and intervention.
• Management of chronic conditions: Pediatricians often care for children with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, allergies, and other complex medical conditions. They work with patients and their families to develop comprehensive management plans to optimize the child’s health and quality of life.
• Behavioral and mental health care: Pediatricians address behavioral and mental concerns in children, including issues like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders. They may counsel parents, offer guidance, and refer patients to mental health specialists when needed.
• Emergency care: Pediatricians are trained to handle medical emergencies involving children, such as injuries, acute illnesses, and accidents. They may work in hospital emergency departments or be available for after-hours calls to address urgent situations.
• Parental education and support: Pediatricians are crucial in educating parents and caregivers about child development, nutrition, safety, and general health. They guide parents in parenting strategies and offer support to families in promoting the overall well-being of their children.

Pediatricians advocate for children’s health and well-being, providing comprehensive medical care, preventive services, and guidance to promote optimal physical, emotional, and developmental outcomes.

Roles and Categories of Pediatricians

The duties of a pediatrician encompass a broad spectrum of responsibilities, which can vary depending on the specific position, organization, or field. Here are some general pediatrician duties.

• Delivering medical care to pediatric patients at the clinic.
• Overseeing and providing supervision to pediatric patients.
• Ability to function effectively in a diverse and multicultural environment.

Different categories of pediatricians include the following.

Physician

• Role: Although it requires extensive education and training, pursuing a career as a medical practitioner proves to be financially rewarding. The median annual income for this profession amounts to $208,000.
• Education: Typically, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement. However, depending on your chosen specialty, you must also complete 3-7 years of internship and residency programs. Nevertheless, the enticing salary makes this investment seem worthwhile.
  • Average Annual Income: $238,887
  • Degree: Bachelor’s Degree

Triage nurse

• Role: A triage nurse holds a position in a hospital’s emergency room and is a registered nurse. Their primary responsibility is to evaluate patients arriving in the ER and determine the level of medical attention required, a process known as triage. This evaluation involves assessing factors such as the patient’s injury or illness, its severity, symptoms, and vital signs. Additionally, a triage nurse is responsible for reassessing patients in the waiting area, initiating emergency treatment when necessary, and guiding patients to appropriate treatment areas.
• Education: To become a triage nurse, one must be a registered nurse, which requires obtaining a bachelor’s degree in nursing and passing a licensure examination. Experience in handling emergencies and expertise in triage, which can be acquired through training, are also necessary. Furthermore, a triage nurse should be able to perform effectively under pressure, respond promptly to unexpected emergencies, and provide professional guidance to patients in the emergency room.
• Salary: The average salary for a triage nurse is $70,000. However, it’s important to note that this role may involve long working hours and shift schedules to earn this salary.
  • Average Salary: $64.592
  • Degree: Bachelor’s Degree

Doctor

• Role: Doctors are healthcare professionals who play a crucial role in helping patients recover from their health issues. They conduct assessments of patients’ conditions by utilizing diagnostic tests to identify the underlying issues. Subsequently, they develop a treatment plan to address these conditions and also assist healthy individuals in maintaining their overall well-being. Moreover, physicians are responsible for maintaining comprehensive patient records, including medical histories, test results, and reports.
• Education: Physicians can work in various settings such as clinics, hospitals, health centers, surgical centers, or private offices. Acquiring a degree in Medicine is a prerequisite, followed by mandatory five-year residency training. To practice medicine, physicians must obtain a federal and state license. In the United States, successful completion of the Medical Licensing Examination is required. Excelling in this profession demands counseling, analytical, organizational, time management, communication, leadership, interpersonal, and decision-making skills. This annual income for physicians can reach as high as $280,705, although it may vary between $112,982 and $448,428 depending on specialization, location of practice, employer, and other factors.
  • Average Salary: $208,582
  • Degree: Bachelor’s Degree

What are the different Pediatric specialties?

Several different types of pediatricians specialize in specific areas of child healthcare. Their salaries can vary based on their area of specialty. Here are some of the common types of pediatricians.

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General pediatrician

A general pediatrician provides comprehensive medical care for children of all ages, from infancy to adolescence; they are the primary healthcare providers for children and handle a wide range of issues, including routine check-ups, vaccination, and common illnesses.

Pediatric emergency physician

A pediatric emergency physician is a medical professional who specializes in providing emergency medical care to infants, children, and adolescents. They are trained to handle urgent and critical medical situations that require immediate attention in a hospital emergency department.

Child abuse pediatrician

They are also known as maltreatment pediatricians or child abuse specialists. They specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and managing child abuse and neglect cases. Their primary focus is on identifying and addressing cases of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect in children.

Adolescent pediatrician

An adolescent pediatrician, also known as an adolescent medicine specialist or adolescent health specialist, is a medical professional who provides healthcare to adolescents, typically ages 12 to 21. They focus on teenagers’ unique physical, emotional, and social needs as they transition from childhood to adulthood.

Pediatric cardiologist

A pediatric cardiologist specializes in diagnosing and treating heart conditions in children. They are experts in evaluating heart murmurs, congenital heart defects, and other cardiac abnormalities in infants, children, and adolescents.

Pediatric neurologists

A pediatric neurologist focuses on diagnosing and treating neurological disorders in children. They deal with conditions such as epilepsy, migraines, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and other disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.

Pediatric gastroenterologist

A pediatric gastroenterologist specializes in diagnosing and managing disorders of the digestive system in children. They address conditions like gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Pediatric pulmonologist

A pediatric pulmonologist deals with respiratory problems and disorders in children. They diagnose and treat asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory conditions.

Pediatric endocrinologist

A pediatric endocrinologist focuses on hormonal disorders and growth-related issues in children. They manage conditions like diabetes, growth hormone deficiency, thyroid disorders, and disorders of sexual development.

Pediatric hematologist/oncologist

A pediatric hematologist or oncologist specializes in diagnosing and treating blood disorders and cancers in children. They manage conditions such as leukemia, sickle cell disease, and hemophilia.

Developmental and behavioral pediatricians

Such pediatricians evaluate and manage developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues in children. They assess conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disabilities.

These are just a few examples of the different types of pediatricians specializing in specific areas of child health. Each specialization requires additional training and expertise to provide specialized care for children in those fields. The income earned in most of these areas is not much different from one another as, at the core, they are specialists for children.

How To Become A Pediatrician?

If you are passionate about wanting to become a pediatrician, you need to follow the steps below.

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Earn A Bachelor’s Degree

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in any of the accompanying courses as an undergrad is imperative before you can be admitted to study medicine. You will be required to get a Bachelor’s degree in Physical sciences (natural and material science, inorganic science) and Biological Sciences.

Acquiring admission to study medicine is a very serious matter. You can have a greater possibility of being acknowledged and accepted if you have a four-year degree in any of the courses mentioned above, or you could offer to function as a volunteer or paid clinical health care to accumulate insight, take an interest in extracurricular exercises and take on some administration positions while in school. You will need to prepare for a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) during your undergrad days. Passing MCAT is essential to picking up admission into medical schools.

Graduate From Medical School

Before acquiring the option to utilize the title Medical Doctor (M.D.), you must finish four years in an osteopathic or allopathic medical school. Finishing these projects will give you a Medical specialist degree (allopathic school) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. These projects will satisfactorily set you up to practice medicine as a pediatrician. It should, nonetheless, be noticed that osteopathic programs place more accentuation on the musculoskeletal framework instead of preventive medication.

In your medical school, you must take a mandatory two-year laboratory course in the sciences such as microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, biochemistry, physiology, and anatomy.

Obtain A License

There is not any clinical doctor who is permitted to practice medicine without a permit. In the United States, allopathic doctors have to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), while osteopathic doctors are needed to pass the Comprehensive Medical Licensing Exam (COMPLEX). The assessment focuses on testing the applicant’s fundamental information and capacity to apply the accumulated information to the clinical act of medicine.

Complete A Pediatric Residency

After graduating from medical school and getting the required permit, you will be needed to finish residency training in pediatrics. Contingent upon the locale, the training can continue for as long as three years and is pointed toward introducing you to the different clinical rotations in various pediatric subspecialties, for example, cardiology, endocrinology, adolescent medicine, and emergency medicine. You may likewise be needed to go to lectures during your residency.

Consider Earning Board Certification

After effectively finishing your residency course, you may be needed to procure a board certification. However, this is not obligatory, but this Board accreditation will show the patients that you hold an elevated level of competency in your profession. Various bodies control these board accreditations, for example, the American Board of Medical Sciences (ABMS) for allopathic doctors and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) for osteopathic doctors. To keep up board affirmation, continuing your education is essential.

How Much Money Does A Pediatrician Make?

Pediatricians’ salaries fluctuate based on multiple factors like experience, location, and market demand. As of May 24, 2023, pediatricians in the United States typically earn around $183,273 annually, equating to roughly $88.11 per hour, $3,524 weekly, or $15,272 monthly.

These figures serve as a ballpark estimate, with actual earnings varying due to geographical nuances, living costs, and regional demand for pediatric services. The salary spectrum for pediatricians spans wide, ranging from as low as $59,500 to as high as $257,500 annually.

Most pediatricians fall within the salary bracket of $156,000 (25th percentile) to $205,000 (75th percentile). Those at the top echelon, the 90th percentile, rake in approximately $240,000 annually.

These disparities underscore the importance of factors such as expertise, location, and tenure in determining earning potential. Moreover, the pediatrician job landscape is heterogeneous, with opportunities for advancement and higher remuneration varying by region and local demand dynamics.

Pediatrician Starting Salary

According to Payscale, the average pediatrician starting salary is almost $15,183 per month. As far as The Bureau of Labor Statistics is concerned, they state that the median annual salary for pediatricians is approximately $182,202 per year, whereas the median pediatrician salary for every hour is $87.60.

How Much Does A Pediatrician Make A Month?

Starting from May 24, 2023, the average pay for a pediatrician in the United States is $15,272 monthly.

What is the salary of a pediatrician by the state?

The salary of a pediatrician can vary significantly depending on various factors, including the state in which they practice. Different states have different average incomes, cost of living, and demand for healthcare services, which can all influence the compensation for pediatricians.

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Typically the states with higher population densities, metropolitan areas, and higher living costs tend to offer higher salaries to physicians, including pediatricians. On the other hand, states with lower population densities, rural areas, or lower living costs may have lower average salaries for pediatricians. Here’s an overview of pediatricians’ average salaries by different states.

There are 11 states in the United States where the typical salary for pediatricians exceeds the national average. Hawaii ranks at the top of the list, followed closely by Nevada and Massachusetts in second and third place, respectively. In Massachusetts, the average salary for a pediatrician surpassed the national average by 11.4%, while Hawaii goes even further with an additional $26,699 (14.6%) above the national average of $183,273.

These 11 states offer above-average salaries for Pediatricians, indicating promising opportunities for economic advancement if one considers relocating. This suggests that pediatricians who choose to practice in these states may have the potential for higher earning potential and improved financial prospects.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Pediatrician?

It typically takes 11-15 years for a person to become a pediatrician in the United States. Here is a general overview of the typical timeline.

• Bachelor’s degree (4 years): Becoming a pediatrician begins with completing a bachelor’s degree. While there is no specific major requirement, aspiring pediatricians often choose pre-medical or science-related majors to fulfill the necessary prerequisites for medical school. During this time, it’s essential to maintain a high GPA and participate in extracurricular activities that demonstrate a commitment to healthcare and community service.
• Medical School (4 years): After earning a bachelor’s degree, the next step is attending medical school. Medical school typically lasts for four years. The first two years are focused on classroom-based learning, while the final two years involve clinical rotations, where students gain hands-on experience in different medical specialties, including pediatrics.
• Residency (3 years): After graduating from medical school, aspiring pediatricians enter a residency program in pediatrics. Residency is a period of intensive training and specialization in the chosen field. Pediatric residency typically lasts for three years.
• Fellowship (optional, 2-3 years): Some pediatricians pursue additional specialization through fellowships. Fellowships provide advanced training in specific pediatric subspecialties such as cardiology, gastroenterology, or pediatric oncology. Fellowships usually last 2-3 years and offer a more in-depth understanding of a particular area of pediatrics.
• Board Certification: After completing residency (and possibly a fellowship), pediatricians can become board-certified by passing the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) Board certification is not mandatory but is highly recommended as it demonstrates expertise and competence in the field.

Becoming a pediatrician, including undergraduate studies, medical school, residency, and optional fellowship, typically takes 11-15 years. It’s important to note that the timeline can vary based on individual circumstances, career choices, and pursuit of additional specialization.

FAQs

What is the average salary of a pediatrician?

The average salary of a pediatrician in the United States is around $183,273 per year. However, this can vary based on experience, location, and practice setting.

Do pediatrics earn more in certain states?

Yes, pediatricians’ salaries can vary by state. States with higher living costs and higher population densities, such as California, New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois, often offer higher salaries for pediatricians compared to states with lower living costs.

How does the experience level affect a pediatrician’s salary?

Experience can have a significant impact on a pediatrician’s salary. Generally, as pediatricians gain more experience, tier-earning potential increases. Experienced pediatricians often earn higher salaries than those just starting their careers.

Are there opportunities for advancement and increased pay as a pediatrician?

Yes, there are opportunities for advancement and increased pay for pediatricians. With additional years of experience, specialized training, and expertise in a specific pediatric subspecialty, pediatricians can pursue leadership, academic, or higher-paying positions within hospitals or private practices.

Are there differences in salaries between pediatricians in private practice and those employed by hospitals?

Yes, there can be differences in salaries based on the practice setting. Pediatricians in private practice may have higher earning potential as they have more control over their practice and patient volume. However, pediatricians employed by hospitals or healthcare systems may receive additional benefits, such as retirement plans and insurance coverage.

How does being board-certified affect a pediatrician’s salary?

Board certification can positively impact a pediatrician’s salary. It demonstrates a higher level of expertise and competence in the field, making pediatricians more desirable to employers and potentially leading to higher-paying job opportunities.

Can a pediatrician treat an adult?

Generally, pediatricians often treat young adults to the age of 21. Pediatricians primarily specialize in providing medical care for infants, children, and adolescents. Their training and expertise focus on the unique medical needs of these age groups.

How many hours does a pediatrician work?

A pediatrician usually works for 8 hours from Monday to Friday. They might offer their services outside of working hours in the evenings or weekends. But pediatricians remain on call in case of emergencies.

Conclusion

Advancing your career as a pediatrician, boosting both salary and success, hinges greatly on accruing experience. Pediatrics encompasses numerous subspecialties, offering ample opportunities for honing skills and expertise in specific areas. Additionally, pediatricians have achieved notable success by engaging in research, pursuing higher education, and establishing private clinics for specialized practice.